Usage patterns 〈 物もの 〉 が 粒りゅう 子し 状じょう になる for a substance to break down into particles
The rock weathers into a particulate form.
粒りゅう 子し を 検けん 出しゅつ する to detect particles
This device detects tiny particles.
粒りゅう 子し が 衝しょう 突とつ する for particles to collide
High-energy particles collide.
〈 物もの 〉 の 粒りゅう 子し が 細こま かい for the particles of something to be fine/small
This powder has very fine particles.
Kanji 粒 grains, drop, counter for tiny particles 子 child, sign of the rat, 11PM-1AM Related words 粒 is the everyday word for a small grain or drop, while 粒子 is the more technical/scientific term used for particles including subatomic ones.
粒子 is the general, everyday term for a small particle, whereas 分子 in this sense is a rarer, more technical word that also specifically means molecule.
Don't confuse with 分子 (molecule) refers specifically to a group of bonded atoms, whereas 粒子 (particle) is a broader term that can also mean dust, grains, or subatomic particles.
原子 (atom) is the basic unit of an element, while 粒子 (particle) is a more general term covering atoms, dust, and other tiny bits of matter.
粒子 is the general term for any particle, while 素粒子 specifically refers to a fundamental, indivisible particle like a quark or electron.
Word family· 29 Show 7 more Show fewer quasiparticle
point particle; point-like particle
particle size; particle diameter
particle beam
lepton
baryon
tau particle; tauon; tau lepton
See all 29 in Explore →
Etymology From Middle Chinese 粒子 (liX tsiX, 'grain, particle'). The kanji 粒 means 'grain' or 'drop', and 子 is a nominal suffix. The reading りゅうし is the Sino-Japanese on'yomi.
Report an issue with this page
Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.